Elihtj dodds



(No Model.)

B. DODDS.

TILE MACHINE.

Patented July 5, 1881.

HILL

' WITNESSES v fd i By .d torney N. PETERS. Plumb-Lithographer, Wuhinglnm 9.6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE...

ELIHU DODDS, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS E. CHANDLER AND FRANKLIN TAYLOR, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

TILE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,867, dated July 5, 1881.

Application filed May '7, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELIHU DODDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tile-Machines and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in that class of tile-machines employed in mak ing drain-tile, in which the tile as it issues from the forming-dies is received upon an endless belt or carrier, where the tile is cut to proper lengths, the object being to so construct the carrier that tile of different sizes or diameters may be carried by one and the same set of supporting-bars, instead of being compelled to change the bars for others having a concavity formed to suit the periphery of every different size of tile manufactured. This result is accomplished by forming the concavity in the carrier-bar upon as great a radius as that of the largest tile to be made upon the machine and then bridging the space between the ends of the bar with a strap of flexible material, upon which the tile is received. This flexible strap conforms to the outer surface of the tile and prevents it from becoming flattened or otherwise disfigured in shape, as would be'the case were it carried by bars which did not conform toits surface while in the soft and plastic state in which it issues from the dies of the machine.

The invention consists, therefore,in thecombination, with the carrier-bars, of a flexible strap, by means of which the carrier-bar is made to conform to the shape of tile of different diameters. as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a carrier complete having its carrier bars provided with flexible straps. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a carrier,

showing the position assumed by the flexible strap when carrying a tile. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the bars and straps, with a section of the carrier-belt.

In constructing this machine the carrierframe A is formed in the usual manner of two side pieces connected by cross-bars a and supported upon short legs I) or by any other suitable means. Above the cross-bars a, which connect the two sides of the frame is placed a series of rollers, c, which support the endless carrier belt or belts B. To this belt is secured by screws or other proper means the carrierbars 0. These bars have a cavity or hollow in the side opposite that which is attached to the carrier-belt, and bridging this cavity is the flexible strap D, secured at each end to the carrier-bars O by means of screwseor other proper fastening devices. These strapsD may be formed of leather, rubber belting, canvas,

01' any other material possessing suflicient strength and flexibility, it being necessary that they should give a firm support to the tile and at the same time conform readily to its shape. In attaching these strapsD to the carrier-bars I prefer to allow the strap to drop or sag a little, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, as it is thereby caused to conform more readily to the shape of the tile.

I am aware that the frame provided with carrienbelt and carrier-bars haviu g a concave receiving-surface to receive the tile as itcomes from theibrming-dies are old, and do nottherefore claim them as my invention; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, in a tile-machine, of the carrier-bars and a flexible bridging-strap arranged to receive the tile as it comes from the forming-dies, in'the manner hereinbefore specifled.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELIEIU DODDS.

Witnesses GEORGE Porrs, WM. WILLIAMS. 

